Can I put plastic in the dishwasher?

Your detergent needs to complement the cleansing action of your dishwasher. Automatic dishwashing detergent is specially formulated to disperse food residue and greasy soiling, hold it in suspension, and remove it in the final rinse. It does all this while producing little or no suds.  

For best results use the detergent recommended by the manufacturer of your machine. 

However, Finish is the #1 Recommended brand by leading dishwasher manufacturers such as Bosch*. In very hard water areas we also recommend the use of separate Salt and Rinse aid to protect your machine and achieve the best result.

^*Finish is the most recommended detergent based on the market share of dishwasher manufacturers that recommend Finish

When it comes to dishwasher liquid vs dishwasher tablets, both offer comparable cleaning power – but one may be better than the other in certain situations. Some households may prefer dishwasher liquid because:

• Dishwasher liquid is usually cheaper than dishwasher tablets
• It can often run on a quicker dishwashing cycle
• It’s water-based, meaning that it is less abrasive on delicate tableware such as glasses and dishes
• It offers more flexibility for specific washing requirements, as you can use as much or as little as you like

However, many people may prefer to use dishwasher tablets in their household because:

• They are convenient as you can just pop them in the dishwasher
• They do not waste any detergent through spillage or over-measuring
• They are specially formulated to target stains and remove even the toughest
• Our Finish^® Quantum Ultimate^® tablets can carry out 21 power actions during a dishwashing cycle

Dishwasher tablets should only go in the dishwasher detergent compartment of your dishwasher, not loose in the dishwasher itself.

Hard water can mean limescale builds up faster in your dishwasher, leading to mineral deposits being left on your dishes after a cycle. If you have hard water in your home instead of soft water, you may be looking for dishwasher detergent for hard water.

While detergents aren’t designed specifically for hard water, using a high quality detergent like the Finish^® Quantum UltraMax^® alongside a good Finish^® rinse aid reduces the chance of the negative effects of hard water blighting your dishes.

Our rinse aids help prevent water from forming droplets on your dishes, making it harder for mineral deposits to settle on them. When used regularly alongside your detergent, the special formula will ensure you have streak-free dishes after every cycle.

No need to! Pre-rinsing is a thing of the past. And although many British households do it, it’s time consuming and wasteful of precious resources.     

Modern detergents such as Finish Quantum Ultimate contain both bleach and enzymes and are recommended by dishwasher manufacturers for use without pre-rinsing. 

Bleach fights tough stains like tea and coffee, and enzymes breakdown proteins and starches. All you have to do is scrape the larger pieces into the rubbish bin and load your dishwasher.

Whether you need to remove the plastic from your dishwasher tablet depends on the product you have bought. As a good rule of thumb, if the tablet comes individually wrapped then yes, you should remove the plastic wrap before using. If, however, the tablet is encased in a skin of thin, transparent plastic, this should not be removed and will dissolve itself safely during the washing process.

Our liquid dishwashing detergent comes in a refreshing citrus fragrance – Finish^® Gel Lemon Scent. Simply fill your dishwasher detergent dispenser (using more for heavily soiled dishes and/or hard water) and turn your dishwasher on at the optimal water temperature of 60°C/140° F.

Dishwasher tablets contain surfactants, which affect the liquid they are added to, making it more efficient at picking up and washing away debris. They also include enzymes (to break down starchy foods and protein), builders (to tackle hard water) and safe bleaches.  

Once you’ve put your dishwasher tablet into the detergent dispenser compartment, your machine will release the contents at the optimal time allowing the tab to disintegrate into the water, release all ingredients and clean your dishes!

Your dishwashing detergent should be stored in a dry environment. If you are using powder, be careful to close the spout after each use to help keep the product dry (and to avoid spills!). Like all cleaning products, store your detergent out of the reach of children. 

Rinse aid is required to: 

• Ensure spot-free, shiny dishes 
• Assist the drying function 

Salt is required to: 

• Protect your machine from limescale 
• Soften the water for better cleaning 

With multi-benefit tablets such as Finish Quantum Ultimate and Finish All in One, rinse aid and salt functions are included. However, in very hard water areas we also recommend the use of separate Salt and Rinse aid products to protect your machine and achieve the best result.